stability isn’t everything it is the only thing

John Vigor, a reviewer of “good old boats” in Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere (1999 Paradise Cay Publications) lists the Alberg 30, Albin Vega 27, Allied Seawind 32, Bristol 27, Bristol Channel Cutter 28, Cal 20, Cape Dory 25D, Catalina 27, Contessa/J.J Taylor 26, Contessa 32, Dana 24, Falmouth Cutter 22, Flicka 20, Folkboat 25, Frances/Morris 26, Nicholson 31,…

Long Keels Less Seaworthy

Time to wake up! This happens all the time I’ve seen people discussing liferafts and such, but for me this big issue here is keels. The four crew on Cheeki died because the boat’s keel fell off, probably very suddenly, and this is not, as some have suggested, an unusual occurrence. It is frighteningly common. Modern fin…

Canoe Ocean Sailing

Joshua Slocum Joshua Slocum was from Nova Scotia, Canada. He owned several ships as well as commanding many others. After loosing one of his ships, the Aquidneck, on a sandbank in Brazil, he and his family sailed the Liberdade, a canoe of about 35 foot, from the site of the grounding to Washington DC USA,…

Archives

Comfort and Water Ballast

It was pretty galling to watch the water-ballasted boats taking the conditions very much in their stride – and with significantly more comfort for their crews.  The Cascails fleet exhibited a good representation of current offshore design, and it was interesting to see how they fared. Sitting on the weather rail of a Corel 45…

Ocean Cruising Comfort

I’m occasionally asked if I miss the larger, deep draft sailboat. The answer is always no. That type of craft now seems to me like a helpless one-legged seabird soaring above the surface of the sea, never able to safely land or seek shelter. Ron Hoddinott Small Craft Advisor March/April 2006 issue, pg 26  …

Twin Shallow Keels

Twin keels become more effective with increased angle of heel, while a single keel becomes less effective. “No other nation has put so much faith in bilge (or twin) keels as the British. Other countries have flirted with them, but we became so enamored with the concept that they were the first choice for anything…

Water Ballast

According to Sailing Today, September 2000 page 83, Van de Stadt’s Dehler 25 sloop bested MacGregor Yachts by a year or so in the use of water ballast. The German Dehler 25s were produced from 1984 to 1991 and water ballast was reported in the US to be used for trailering reasons and cost savings. With the Van…

Maclean Memorial Races

March 29 – 30, 2014 The regatta will be a two day event Moorage on March 29 will be at the Longbranch Marina, Filucy Bay. There we will join the Cruisers for an after race potluck and get together. See the Cruise News. The race is open to all SSSS Members. Race fees not required.…

Skookum Inlet Race

March 1, 2014 Osa was the RC Boat. Releaf was mark boat.     A CLASS Start Time: 10:00 Distance: 23.4 nm Correctd Finish Finish Course Points Sail No. Yacht Name Yacht Type Rating Time Time Time —— ——– ————– ————– —— ——– ——– ——— 0.75 69315 NIRVANA MERI 28 120 16:29:00 15:42:12 6:29:00 2.00 18633 I5 SANZ…